Live Thread: Cavs vs Raptors
2018-03-21
Well, we get a reprieve in tonight’s probably playoff preview. Tristan Thompson and Rodney Hood are still out with injury, according to associate head coach, Larry Drew. I, for one, was not looking forward to Tristan’s return in a crucial playoff matchup, with the Cavs just a half a game up on the Pacers for the central division crown. Let’s let those guys get going against Phoenix, Friday.
Starting for the Cavs will be Calderon, George Hill, LeBron, Jeff Green, and Kevin Love. Kyle Korver is out, morning the death of his brother, Kirk. For the Raptors, C.J. Miles and Fred VanVleet are game time decisions. In probably Toronto’s biggest regular season game of the year, I’m betting they play.
They key to beating the Raps? Tamping down on DeMar DeRozan, who can score from anywhere now, and hoping Serge Ibaka, OG Anonuby, and Jonas Valanciunas aren’t beating you tonight. Because we all know what Kyle Lowry and C.J. Miles can do.
Raps average almost 34 three point attempts a game, and make 36%, so stopping them there and on the offensive boards is key. I’m betting the Cavs start rounding into form here and win a squeaker 120-118. Go Cavs.
What was LBJ’s PER in this game?
Great regular season win. Someone musta told LeBron the Truth was green with envy. The worst part of National televised games is the commentary, it’s borderline comedy.
Things that should continue:
1) Calderon as 2nd unit PG (if not starting)
2) PT for Zizic
3) Aggressive George Hill
4) JR on the bench
5) Drew as HC
We are really gonna have some horses when we get healthy. Love makes a huge difference.
Agree, and frankly, I think Calderon should see more minutes…someone in the game thread mentioned that they liked Calderon with Clarkson, and I agree with that…Clarkson on the floor without a point guard is usually just chuck city…
I missed all but the 4th quarter. Great win. Bron was otherworldly. Hill nearly as good. Love & Calderon were very good as well.
Green was solid & had a fantastic block on DeRozan late. JR hit some timely 3s & closed the game in Calderon’s place. Zizic was his solid self.
Clarkson was poor but everyone else was so good it didn’t matter.
Spurs blowing the doors off the Bullets now, which gives Cavs more breathing room…
17 assists and 0 turnovers. Absolutely monumental game by the King.
Billy Simmons:
https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/976574566645481472?s=20
Now, Bill. You might want to start freaking out about Kyrie’s free agency now, too…
Billy Simmons:
https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/976619018781011969?s=20
Any team that can score is going to destroy that goofy Celtics team.
Billy loves anecdotal evidence.
I’m pretty sure Lowry and Derozan are good guards.
Yes but are they goofy?
Hope Billy’s Celtics go down in the first round again…that would be classic…
He’s already working the refs, claiming Wade as dirty.
God, the Heat beating that garbage Celtics team, led by the truly goofy Olynyk, would be poetry…
Plus Saint Weirdo vs. A Flat Earther! Weird Al Yankovich could sing the national anthem.
Get the pod up boys; I got 5 hours of windshield time tomorrow driving from detroit to pittsburgh
They better make it loooooong in the tooth!
Pacers losing to Pels is big…gives Cavs some breathing room…
Tough to have a favorite moment in this game, since there were many, but mine was Love’s late three off the Lebron pass…stuff like that builds teams…really happy for him…
That was my favorite moment as well.
yeah I probably agree with you jb225 on jose / 2nd unit—need hill to be aggressive every game like he was tonight —–still waiting to see KLOVE / LNJ —play together
What’s up with the Hubie Brown? The guy talks like he’s broadcasting for the Raptors.
He likes underdogs I think.
He’s pretty much always like that in favor of the Cavs’ opponent…and I don’t say that kind of stuff generally, but with him, it’s true. He wants to favor the underdog, but in this case, he should have been favoring the Cavs, since they were the underdog…
To me this was a great psychological win by the Cavs over the Raptors but to be honest a lot of the Cavs played really well. Like Calderón’s 14 points and Hill only missed 2 shots.
It should be a great series when they meet.
Cavs in 6 if they play defense the way they did in the second half tonight.
Yeah, but the Cavs played Jef Green extended minutes and were without Korver, Nance, Hood, Osman and even Thompson who is usually useful against the Raptors.
question —do we start jose in the playoffs —hill as off gd –or hood —I say yes !!
To me Calderón should be the PG for the second unit. I just don’t think Clarkson is a good PG. Hill should start.
go hornets !!!!!—“FREE OKRA “—HA-HA——MAYBE FRIDAY NIGHT WE WILL ” UNLEASH THE OKRA “
Hornets came back!
Wow….I was following the score, Nets were up 12 earlier…what a night.
They were up 20
This needs to change:
J. OkaforC DNP-COACH’S DECISION
Coach Drew suggesting that The Switch may have just been flipped….
Just like that big Boston game last year around this time…
Cavs only come alive in April. That’s the only month you can truly assess them.
Coach Drew talking about telling G Hill to be aggressive…
Maybe Lue told him that, too, who knows, but he HAS to be more aggressive…I don’t expect him to hit 10 of 12 every night, but he needs to look for his shot, and drive…
This could be one of the best stretches of offensive play in lbj’s career. Seemingly video game numbers and efficiency every night. Anyone know if and how PER is adjusted for league average during the season? Pace and average player usage, verus average player TS, box score stats? I ask because it would seem like lbj’s stats this season would be a 30+ per most years.
yeah it feels like this should be a 30+ PER year. Turnovers up a bit and usage down a bit, but his TS% is insane
Hill says Larry Drew “read us the riot act” at halftime… that’s what a Head Coach does…
That makes me so happy, man. That dude has their respect
Yeah he has been solid. Glad he is on the staff. I worry that he might get headhunted by another team for another HC job one of these days.
I’m dreading Lue coming back.
It’s really unfortunate for Lue – he’s just not a head coach. He’s very smart, good plays out of time outs, good schemes, good ideas, good game plans in the playoffs – He really should be the lead HC assistant.
Not sure if Raptors are like 2014 Hawks but maybe a bit better, but they still don’t have someone who can really beat the Cavs…Lowry and DeRozan couldn’t find the shots…their defense stinks too, not as bad as ours but P/R on their end was atrocious. Again I don’t see guys like VanFleet Wright or Poetl doing a lot of damage in playoffs…completely different game and atmosphere….maybe those guys go nuts for one home game but thats about it
They were a top 5 defense going into the game…
Completely correct.
Bench players usually wilt under the pressure. Also, DeRozan is a second option on a championship team.
https://twitter.com/JasonLloydNBA/status/976635289769783297
Great win. Defense is problematic without Nance, Cedi, and korver. Someone commented on Jr getting blown by. Age may be catching him. Looks like he is a traffic cone sometimes. Still hit shots tonight at least. Clarkson’s shot selection wasn’t great as usual but tonight he couldn’t hit those shots. Green made some big shots and had some good defensive plays. Hill had by far his best game so far and what may be he his best game this season.
DeRozan still can’t shoot threes against the Cavs…
he can shoot threes against other teams?
He’s at 35% from deep this year…
Great win by the team after a horrid 2nd quarter. Can’t wait for the podcast.
Did Paul pierce eat any crow?
He won’t, I’m sure…he’s just a clown.
They conveniently went right into the next game… probably at halftime…
Holy cow the stat lines on the cavs are insane … and the defensive effort in the fourth was inspired
Was pretty good. Pretty bad the rest of the game though.
Great game by Hill!
Wow… Cavs offense was INSANE tonight!!! Over 60% from the field AND 3!!! Over 80% at the FT line!!!
Other than derozan shot at end only raptors points were free throws from tacky fouls
Yep – I think that’s a great sign. They knew they were beaten playing straight. I hope they remember that.
Well you guys have got some great material for the podcast….have fun, look fwd to listening.
Love to have you on sometime
what an awesome win.
George hill 10-11, 2-2 from three!
Such a big win for the confidence of everyone…had to feel great…
MOST ASSISTS IN NBA HISTORY WITHOUT A TURNOVER!
Just incredible.
Wonder how much a 17-0 ast to ratio will boost it for the season.
That is amazing and shocking. You’d think Stockton would’ve had like a 20-0 game somewhere.
“what is your motivation in year 15” Lebron: “do you believe me yet?” … interesting response .. to bring RINGZ to the land?
Cavs outscore the Raps 68-50 in the second half!
Rather consistent offense both halves which is good to see
Bron 17assists 0 turnovers!!!
Bron with ZERO turnovers!
Great finish!
Great fricking win! Like a playoff game!
Cavs down 5 players and they take down the Raps!
remember this one raps….
Enjoy your fake bacon Canada!
+1
Playoffs have started.
GREAT WIN!!
They don’t have a timeout HUBIE!
That was hilarious. He just kept going on about it too
Ah, jeez…
lesson from colleg ball – defend the inbounder
did you guys see 17 dimes, ZERO TURNOVERSE for lbj??
insane
Put this away King!
Why foul there?
Well never mind.
George Hill with the smart play.
Uh oh… Kev limping
Right knee. Banged it maybe?
That was too soon. Let them burn clock coming up.
Raps don’t have a timeout…
i foul the raps in the backcourt here, don’t let them take the 3
Two shocking things there. 1. they didn’t take a three. 2. Calderon is still not out there.
Why inbound to LBJ?? I’d have thought Green.
They should hire Hubie as Captain Obvious’ grandad…
Keep JR off the court. He can’t help himself fouling big 3 point shots.